Advent%20Joseph

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AdventJoseph

• A Reflection by Robert P. Maloney, C.M.

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• Joseph teaches us how to walk with God.

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• Joseph knew how to listen to Gods word and act
  upon it.

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God spoke to Joseph in dreams
Do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife--
Joseph received her into his home.

• Take the child and his mother to Egypt-- they
  left that very night.

Set out for Israel-- he departs immediately.
Do not go to Judea-- he changes his route and
settles in Galilee.
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The Dream of St. Joseph, oil on canvas by Georges
de la Tour, circa 1640
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• Joseph trusted in Gods daily providence. He
  believed in Gods revealing words and rushed to
  put them into practice.

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• Joseph has much to say to those who live in the
  Vincentian tradition.

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• For Joseph, the word of God is paramount.
• For Vincent, this word never fails.

Detail (Original in Daughters of Charity
Provincial House, Zaragoza)
St. Joseph and the Christ Child, El Greco, 1599
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• Is the word of God central for you?
• Is it water that gives you life when your hearts
  and minds are dry?
• Is it a hammer for you when you are too set to
  budge?
• Is it food that is sweeter than honey when you
  are hungering to know what God is asking for you?

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• Joseph knew the pain and embarrassment of poverty
  when there was no room in the inn and he had to
  place his infant child in a manger.

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Nativity of Christ, by Lorenzo Lotto, 1523
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• Joseph believed that God walked with him, that
  God is faithful to promises, that God is alive,
  and that we can find God not only in the light
  but also in the darkness.

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• The word of God was his strength. Deep faith was
  his light in the darkness.

Is the word of God your strength?
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Do you see the presence of God even where
suffering, privation, and violence appear to
reign?
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For the full text of this letter, and other
writings by Fr. Maloney, visit the Vincentian
Encyclopedia
Adapted from text by Gail Rieth, RSM c. 2006